Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Electromagnetic induction heating has recently been proposed as an important internal heat source in the mantles of rocky exoplanets. However, its dependence on planetary interior properties remains poorly constrained. Here, we construct electrical conductivity profiles for super-Earth mantles considering different temperatures and compositions, and evaluate induction heating in super-Earth mantles in both solid and partially molten states. We find that high mantle temperature, iron content, and melt fraction all suppress the overall induction heating efficiency due to increased mantle conductivity and magnetic shielding. In GJ 486b, induction heating likely exceeds both radiogenic heating and tidal heating, driving persistent surface volcanism and early volatile depletion, whereas HD 3167b and GJ 357b experience insignificant induction heating due to weak stellar magnetic fields. Our findings highlight induction heating as a critical factor in the thermal and atmospheric evolution of close-in super-Earths around magnetically active stars.
Authors: Yihang Peng, Kristina Kislyakova, Donghao Zheng, Zhongtian Zhang, Jie Deng
Institutions: Princeton University, University of Vienna
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,400
OpenAlex ID: W4415337619